Tokyo souvenirs: 14 best products that are made in or inspired by Tokyo

Japan is made up of 47 diverse prefectures, and while Tokyo is a city, it’s also its own prefecture. These cute pin badges (¥1,100 each) from Machi Machi 47palette are available for all 47 prefectures, with this particular pin shaped like Tokyo. The prefecture’s main regions are indicated using different pastel colours which are inspired by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.

Available at Map Design Gallery Narita Airport (open until Sep 24) and online.

Want to remember the charming streets of Tokyo’s old-school Yanaka neighbourhood? Well now you can take them home with you – in the form of these beautiful 3D cityscape postcards. The set of postcards (¥1,200 for four) features images of the Yanaka Ginza shopping street back in the 1950s, the area's iconic Yuyake Dandan staircase, the Yaokou greengrocer and the Hatsune Koji alley known for its izakaya and bars. 

Available at Muto Book Store (from September) and online.

Bring a piece of Tokyo back home with you with this fun wooden 3D puzzle (￥5,280) that is modelled after the iconic red Kaminarimon gate that leads to Sensoji Temple. The puzzle consists of just 64 parts and is not too difficult to assemble, making it a fun little souvenir to enjoy with children. Once you’ve completed the puzzle, you can use it as a nice decorative piece to jazz up your home and remind you of your Tokyo travels.

Available at Takumi stores and online.

Origami – traditional Japanese paper folding – has been practiced for centuries and you can now enjoy the unique craft back home with this Orica6: Tokyo Origami book (¥1,320) by Cochae. Inspired by Japanese culture and icons of Tokyo, the origami book includes instructions and paper for you to create Tokyo Tower, a tuna from Tsukiji fish market, a sumo wrestler, and even a cute version of the JR Yamanote train.

Available at Books Kinokuniya Seibu Shibuya (Limited stock) and online.

Tokyo’s love for 'designer' manhole covers seems to know no bounds, as you can find all sorts of drain covers across the city featuring designs of your favourite characters including Pokémon and even Sailor Moon. If you happen to be strolling around the Shibuya neighbourhood, you might have come across Shibuya's very own manhole lid, featuring a design of Hachiko and his owner. The cheeky cover decorates a number of fun items available now at Hands Shibuya including pins, tote bags and these fun T-shirts (¥6,655 each). 

Available at Hands Shibuya.

Arita porcelain specialist Kihara Tokyo has created a stylish Tokyo Icon series which includes plates, fridge magnets and this sleek cup (¥2,200). The Tokyo-inspired collection features 69 illustrations that convey the charms of our beloved city, including landmarks such as the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Tokyo Skytree, Hachiko and the now-gone Odaiba Ferris wheel, all printed on the cup exterior.

Available at Kihara Tokyo in Tomigaya, Shibuya. 

Chopstick rests (hashioki) are useful little trinkets you can collect in a variety of designs. These cool ones from home and lifestyle store Nakagawa Masashichi are designed after five iconic bridges in Tokyo: the Rainbow Bridge, Nihonbashi Bridge, Azumabashi Bridge, Eitai Bridge and Kachidoki Bridge (¥4,400 for a set of five).

Available at the Nakagawa Masashichi store in Kitte Marunouchi.

Odate mage-wappa is a speciality bentwood craft unique to Akita prefecture, commonly used to construct beautiful, lightweight containers like bento lunchboxes. Made from cedar, these boxes can absorb excess moisture to help keep your food longer. The gorgeous double-layer bento (¥11,500), made in collaboration with Shibuya’s Hachifull store, is dedicated to Hachiko, the undisputed Tokyo celebrity and best friend.

Available at Hachifull in Shibuya Scramble Square.

Love exploring Harajuku? This scented candle (¥7,370) should transport you back to the streets of Tokyo’s capital of youth and kawaii culture. Retaw’s Harajuku-inspired candle blends a mix of hinoki, cherry blossoms and yuzu with base notes of amber and musk to give you a unique scent evocative of one of Tokyo’s most famous ’hoods.

Available at Retaw in Jingumae, Shibuya.

Combining Japan’s passion for upcycling and sneakers, Tokyo Kimono Shoes gives unused kimono and obi (kimono sashes) a second life by transforming the luxurious fabric into gorgeous kicks. What’s special about these sneakers (¥44,000) is that no two pairs are alike, as the shoes feature unique patterns cut from different kimono and obi.

Available at Tokyo Kimono Shoes in Asakusa.

Handkerchief specialists H Tokyo stock plenty of fun and original designs, including this transit-themed hanky (¥2,200) featuring Tokyo’s extensive subway system. The handkerchief comes in two versions: a blue rendition with a guide pinpointing the city's top museums, and a red one highlighting Tokyo's outstanding architecture. You can get the handkerchief personalised with custom embroidery for as little as ¥550.

Available at H Tokyo in Kitte Marunouchi.

This scent (from ¥13,200) from Japanese perfumery Yubune is inspired by hotaru, or the brilliant fireflies that live around Meiji Jingu Shrine, one of Tokyo’s most serene and peaceful locations. The perfume features refreshing notes of fennel and anise as well as jasmine and lily of the valley. With wear, it takes on an elegant woody scent reminiscent of the zelkova trees lining the streets of Omotesando.

Available at Yubune in Tokyu Plaza Harajuku Harakado.

Tokyo coffee roaster Sarutahiko has a number of outposts around the city, but you’ll have to head to specific shops to get your hands on its exclusive city coffee bean blends, which are distinctive to each neighbourhood with a Sarutahiko café. You can find the Shibuya Blend (¥1,100 for 100g) at Sarutahiko inside the Dogenzaka-dori shopping complex, the Ebisu City blend (¥980 for 100g) at one of the two Ebisu outposts, and The Bridge Harajuku Blend (¥1,450 for 100g) at the café inside Harajuku Station.

Available at Sarutahiko Coffee Shibuya in Dogenzaka-dori.

Maneki neko are far from an unfamiliar sight at souvenir and gift shops around the country, but if you want to get yourself the original lucky kitty, you can find it at Tokyo’s Gotokuji Temple. Also known as the 'cat temple', this sacred spot is thought to be the origin of the maneki neko and offers fortune-bringing amulet dolls (from ¥500) in seven different sizes.

Available at Gotokuji Temple in Gotokuji, Setagaya.